It's a rare event that brings out 92-year-old evangelist Billy Graham these days. However, a visit by former President George W. Bush on Monday was just such an occasion.

Former President Bush and his wife Laura had lunch with Graham and his son Franklin before the Bushes sat down in the Billy Graham Library in West Charlotte, N.C., to sign copies of their books.

The evangelist, who was in a wheelchair, hugged the former president before leaving the Bushes in the library bookstore for the signings. The Bushes did not take questions from reporters.

Hundreds of people lined up for the chance to meet the former president and first lady. Some people in the crowd waited many hours in line for the event because they so admire both Bush and the world-famous evangelist.

"I love him and would have gone anywhere to see him," said one person waiting in line.

"He was an awesome president," said another.

"Any time you get to meet a former president and first lady, too, that's just as good as it gets," another admirer said.

"He and Billy have been such good friends for such a long period of time. and I think this is very appropriate for them to have an opportunity to come here and tour the library," Graeme Keith, a Graham family friend, said.

"Ninety-two, and he's kind of like that Energizer bunny. He just keeps going. He doesn't slow down. He's just got an amazing energy. He really does," Franklin Graham told a reporter about his father.

"It just brought tears to my eyes. He's such a strong Christian man," said another person standing in line to have their book signed.